Historic house ‘faces huge repair bill’

AN historic building in Killarney will fall into serious disrepair if the Government doesn’t move quickly to restore it.

That was the warning yesterday from local Senator Paul Coghlan who said Killarney House was “still crumbling” 11 years after being bought by State. He is to raise the issue with Environment Minister John Gormley.

The white-painted building was once the property of the landlord Browne (Kenmare) family and, later, home to Irish-American millionaire John McShain.

There are plans to convert it into an exhibition centre for Killarney National Park.

However, the cost of refurbishing Killarney House continues to rise as the Government fails to act, according to Mr Coghlan.

“Earlier estimates put the cost of the repair work at €5 million and it is now likely to be much higher. I cannot understand why restoration work has not got under way as the longer the house is left to rot the more expensive it will be to restore it,” he said, adding that the cost of storing the furniture was rising all the time.

The house is located in the demesne area, only yards from the centre of Killarney, and, along with its surrounding walks and gardens, is regarded as having huge potential as a tourist attraction.

Mr Coghlan said that if the Department of the Environment was not prepared to proceed with work on the house, it should immediately consult with the local authorities in Kerry.

He believed a public/private partnership could be set up to redevelop it. “This could include a significant arts venue for Killarney and incorporate an audio-visual facility for the National Park,” he said. “It could also facilitate large-scale civic and other receptions.”

Mr Coghlan said “it was particularly disturbing to hear that Killarney House was not considered for any funding from the €137 million awarded to Fáilte Ireland under the National Development Plan to stimulate development of tourism projects”.

Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism made a detailed submission to Fáilte Ireland on the issue, with the approval of the Killarney National Park Liaison Committee.